One of Britain's best racers in the immediate post-war era, Parnell later became a team owner up until his death from peritonitis after a routine appendix operation in 1964. He began his career though in 1934, after buying a Bugatti in a local scrapyard for £25, but unfortunately the gamble failed, and the car broke before he could even attempt to qualify. Retired from a fine racing career in 1957, and then managed the Yeoman Credit and Bowmaker Lola Grand Prix teams, and the Aston Martin sportscar team.